Boat-forming machine and jig



Oct. 27, 1964 B. STAHMER BOAT-FORMING MACHINE AND JIG 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 24, 1963 INVENTOR BERN HARDT STAH MER Oct. 27, 1964 a STAHMER BOAT-FORMING MACHINE AND JIG 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed July 24, 1963 INVENTOR. BERNHARDT STAHMER United States Patent 3,153,796 BDAT-FORMING MACHINE AND 318 Bernhardt Stahmer, 1509 Chicago St., Omaha, Nehr. Filed July 24, 1963, Ser. No. 297,444 9 Claims. (Cl. 9-6.5)

The present invention relates to jigs or machines for forming hulls of boats of metal, and particularly aluminum boats wherein meeting edges of sheets of material or of a skin are retained in position for welding, and wherein the entire form of the hull is suspended between trunnions and rotated by a motor for adjusting positions of the parts to facilitate Welding.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a boat hull forming jig in which a skin is formed to a position for welding and retained in the welding position by clamps as meeting edges thereof are welded, and wherein the skin, as a whole, is rotated to bring the meeting edges into convenient positions for Welding.

Various types of jigs and other supporting frames have been provided for holding el ments and other parts in position for welding, riveting, drilling, and the like. However, with conventional jigs for this use it is difficult for workmen to reach the underside of objects, such as the hull of a boat, and consequently jigs are very seldom used for this purpose.

With this thought in mind this invention contemplates a boat hull gripping jig rotatably mounted on A-frames whereby clearance or working space is provided completely around the hull.

The object of this invention is, therefore, to provide a boat hull holding jig, and supporting means therefor, wherein the supporting means is compact and access is provided to all portions of the hull.

Another object of the invention is to provide a boat hull forming and gripping jig in which sides and one end of a hull are formed by arcuate arms pivotally mounted on bottom side forms extended transversely across the jig.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a boat hull forming jig in which the hull is suspended between aligned trunnions so that the hull may be turned to positions convenient for welding.

A further object of the invention is to provide a boat forming machine and jig in which the parts are readily adjustable so that meeting edges may be accurately drawn together to facilitate making smooth welds.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a boat hull forming machine and jig which is of a simple and economical construction.

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, drawings and claims, the scope of the invention not being limited to the drawings themselves as the drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating a method by which the principles of this invention can be applied.

Other embodiments of the invention utilizing the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the improved boat hull forming machine and jig with parts broken away for convenience of illustration and with the hull of a boat in the jig shown in dotted lines.

FIGURE 2 is a cross section through the machine and jig, taken on line 22 of FIGURE 1, with parts of the jig shown in an open or hull receiving position in full lines, and in a closed or hull holding position in broken lines.

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the improved boat hull forming machine and jig, with parts broken away to "ice facilitate illustration, and with the boat hull shown in full lines in the jig.

While one embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the above-referred-to drawings, it is to be understood that they are merely for the purpose of illustration and that various changes in construction may be resorted to in the course of manufacture in order that the invention may be utilized to the best advantage according to circumstances which may arise, without in any manner departing from the spirit and intention of the device, which is to be limited only in accordance with the appended claims. And While there is stated the primary field of utility of the invention it remains obvious that it may be employed in any other capacity wherein it may be found applicable.

In the accompanying drawings, and in the following specification, the same reference characters are used to designate the same parts and elements throughout, and in which the numeral 19 refers to the invention in its entirety, numeral 12 indicating a boat skin having longitudinally disposed angle bars 14 providing keels on the under surface, numeral 16 indicating ribs positioned transversely of the skin or hull of the boat, numeral 18 indicating bottom side forms on which the bottom of the skin is positioned, and which are positioned transversely of the jig, numeral 20 indicating upper side forms pivotally mounted by bolts 22 on the ends of the bottom side forms, numeral 24 indicating bottom bow forms extended from the bottom side form at the bow end of the jig, numeral 26 upper bow forms pivotally mounted by bolts 28 on the extended ends of the bottom bow forms, numeral 30 indicating transverse clamp rods for drawing the upper side forms inwardly, numeral 32 form bolts for drawing the upper bow forms rearwardly, numeral 34 indicating a rotatable rectangular-shaped jig frame or bed supported by A-frames 36 and 38 and having trunnions 40 and 42 extended from the ends and rotatably mounted in bearings 44 and 46 at the upper ends of the A-frames, numerals 4% and 50 indicating longitudinally positioned braces connecting lower ends of the A-frames, and numeral 52 indicating a motor for rotating the jig frame 34 through a chain 54 and sprockets 56 and 58.

The skin 12, which is rectangular-shaped in plan, extends from the transom 60 at the stern, forwardly to a point 62 at the bow, and the intermediate part extends laterally to edges 64 and 66 on which are angle bars 68 and 70. The skin is provided with arcuate sections 72 and 74 which extend from the intermediate part to the edges 64 and 66, and the bow is provided with a similar arcuate section 76 that leads from the intermediate part to the point 62.

The upper ends of the upper side forms 20 are provided with angle bars 78 and 80, and the angle bar 78 is provided with ears 82 in which the rods 30 are hooked. The bar is provided with clip angles 84 and the clip angles are provided with openings through which the rods 30 extend, as shown in FIGURE 2. The rods 30 are provided with wing nuts 86 and washers 88, on their outer ends, and lock nuts 99 and washers 92 are provided on the opposite sides of the clip angles. The lock nuts are adjusted to prevent side edges of the skin being drawn too far.

The upper side forms are provided with resilient rubber liners 94 to provide smooth skin contacting surfaces and inner edges of the forms are provided with notches 96 which catch the cockpit side as the forms are swung in. The upper bow form is also provided with a liner 98, similar to the liners 94, and the bottom side forms are provided with notches 100 that receive the keels 14.

The skin 12 extends from the transom 60 at the stern to a plane 102 which is positioned vertically and transversely at the bow, and the arcuate section 76 at the bow extends laterally to weld lines 164 and 106. The corners at the sides of the bow are sealed by segments 158 and 110 which are positioned in meeting relation with the plane 102 and also with the weld lines 104 and 106. The segments 108 and 110 are retained in position for welding by springs 112 and 114, as shown in FIGURE 3, and as each segment is a quarter of a sphere, they will completely seal the corners of the hull. The ends of the springs are provided with hooks, and, as shown in FIG- URE 3, a hook 116 on one end of the spring 112 is fastened in an opening 118 in a clip angle 12% on the upper side form 20, and a hook 122 on the opposite end is held in an opening in a .clip angle 124 on the upper bow form 26. In the same manner a hook 126 on one end of the spring 114 is fastened in an opening 128 in a clip angle 130 on the upper side form 20, and a hook 132 at the opposite end is held in an opening of a leg of a clip angle 134 on the upper bow form 26. The springs are covered with plastic tubes'136, such as rubber hose sections, to prevent marring surfaces of the segments.

The jig frame 34 is provided With longitudinally disposed angle bars 138 and 140 and the ends of these bars are connected by transverse angle bars 142 and 144. The bottom side forms 18 are secured to flanges 146 of the bars 142 and 144 by welding or the like.

The lower portions of the .A-frames 36 and 38 are connected by the angle bars 48 and 50, and the legs of the frames are connected by cross braces 148. The A- frame at one end of the jig is provided with an angle bar 150 on which a plate 152 is positioned and the motor 52 is mounted on the plate 152. The motor is provided with an electric cord 154 having a plug 156 on the extended end, and the cord is provided with a switch 158. A bevel gear 160 on the shaft 162 of the motor 52 meshes with a similar gear 164 on a shaft 166 on which the lower sprocket 56 is positioned.

Operation In use the parts are assembled as illustrated and described, with the ribs 16 positioned on the skin 12, and with the skin 12 on the keel angles 14. Theribs, skin and keel angle bars are then secured together, such as by welding, spot welding, or with rivets, and the combined elements are positioned in the jig as illustrated by the dotted lines in FIGURE 2. With one man on each side of the jig the upper side forms are drawn together forming side portions of the skin and ribs, which have been preformed, to provide semi-circular portions at the sides. The bow is formed in the same manner, and the upper bow forms and upper side forms are secured in their respective positions by the clamp rods 30 and 32. The lock nuts 90 on the rods 30 are set to prevent the side edges of the skin being drawn beyond desirable positions for welding.

With these parts in position the quarter-spherical segment 108 and 110 are'positionedin the forward corners of the hull, and the parts are welded together.

In forming the bow of the hull the skin assembly is urged rearwardly, and rearward movement thereof is limited bya back stop 168. a

By use of the electric motor the jig is rotated to turn the hull to positions convenient for Welding the parts.

With the ribs, skin and keels welded, or otherwise secured in the proper positions, as illustrated, the hull may be removedfromthe jig by removing the clamp rods 30 and 32, and the springs 112 and 114.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that a boat-forming machine and jig constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use, by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof, and for this reason I do not Wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice, except as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A boat-forming machine and jig comprising spaced transversely disposed bottom side forms, upper side forms pivotally mounted on said bottom side forms, lower bow forms mounted on and extended from one of said bottom ide forms, upper bow forms pivotally mounted on said lower bow forms, clamp rods for retaining said upper side forms and upper bow forms in boat forming positions, quarter spherical segments in forward corners of said jig, a transom stop in the stern portion of said jig, and means for retaining said segments with edges thereof in meeting relation with edges of the side portions and bow of the boat.

2. A boat-forming machine and jig comprising longitudinally spaced transversely positioned bottom side forms, upper side forms pivotally mounted on extended ends of said bottom side forms, clamp rods connecting extended ends of said upper side forms, lower bow forms mounted on and extended from one of said bottom side forms, upper bow forms pivotally mounted on extended ends of said lower bow forms, clamp rods for urging extended ends of said upper bow forms inwardly of said jig, means for retaining closure elements in forward corners of a boat hull in the jig, a supporting frame, and means for rotatably mounting the jig elements in said supporting frame.

3. In combination with a boat-forming machine and jig, as described in claim 2, a motor for rotating the jig.

4. A boat-forming machine and jig, as described in claim 2, in which the supporting frame includes A- frames positioned at the ends of the jig, and means connecting said A-frames.

5. In a boat-forming jig, the combination which comprises a rectangular-shaped jig frame, longitudinally spaced bottom side forms transversely positioned on said jig frame, upper side forms pivotally mounted on extended ends of said bottom side forms, lower bow forms integral with and extended from the bottom side form at the bow end of the jig, upper bow forms pivotally mounted on extended ends of said lower bow forms, adjustable clamp rods for urging said upper side forms and upper bow forms inwardly to boat hull forming positions, a supporting frame, means rotatably mounting said jig frame in said supporting frame, and means for rotating said jig frame with the hull of a boat therein.

6. In a jig as described in claim 5, springs positioned with ends thereof connected to said upper side forms and upper bow forms for retaining quarter spherical segments in position for Welding in the corners at the sides of the bow of a boat hull carried by the jig.

7. A jig as described in claim 5, in which keel receiving notches are provided in upper edges of said bottom side forms.

8. A jig as described in claim 5, in which the supporting frame includes A-frames connected by longitudinally positioned angle bars.

9. A jig as described in claim 5, in which the rotating means includes a motor positioned on said supporting frame.

No references cited, 

1. A BOAT-FORMING MACHINE AND JIG COMPRISING SPACED TRANSVERSELY DISPOSED BOTTOM SIDE FORMS, UPPER SIDE FORMS PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID BOTTOM SIDE FORMS, LOWER BOW FORMS MOUNTED ON AND EXTENDED FROM ONE OF SAID BOTTOM SIDE FORMS, UPPER BOW FORMS PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID LOWER BOW FORMS, CLAMP RODS FOR RETAINING SAID UPPER SIDE FORMS AND UPPER BOW FORMS IN BOAT FORMING POSITIONS, QUARTER SPHERICAL SEGMENTS IN FORWARD CORNERS OF SAID JIG, A TRANSOM STOP IN THE STERN PORTION OF SAID JIG, AND MEANS FOR RETAINING SAID SEGMENTS WITH EDGES THEREOF IN MEETING RELATION WITH EDGES OF THE SIDE PORTIONS AND BOW OF THE BOAT. 